Farming Basics

Mating of closely related animals on communal farms not only has monetary consequences, but also has an impact on the genetic make-up of livestock, animal performance, and fertility, says Shane Brody.

Dr Hanré Bredenkamp Ferreira, veterinarian and technical manager at Virbac, spoke to Henning Naudé about how commercial sheep farmers can identify, treat, and prevent foot rot, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

What began as a routine monthly clean-up in Bulawayo’s Pumula suburb uncovered something far worse than litter: a permanent illegal dumpsite wedged between family homes, scarred by deep pits carved out by sand poachers.

Getting to know and properly understanding the requirements to effectively produce cabbages will always give the producer the competitive edge, writes Shane Brody.

You can attract a variety of bird species to your garden with a cost-effective, easy-to-make feeder constructed with repurposed or common materials available from your local hardware store, writes Linda Piegl.

It’s essential to know how much fodder your veld produces in a year. Over time, keeping fewer animals invariably improves the veld and raises animal production simply because more fodder is available during dry periods.

South African farmers have embraced both mechanisation and staffing solutions to improve farm level efficiency. Sabrina Dean investigated the pros and cons of both and filed this report.

Onions are susceptible to several diseases, which can significantly impact their yield and quality. Bill Kerr takes a look at some of the major ones.

South Africa’s Diesel Refund Scheme has been fundamentally restructured, with a 100% rebate and stricter compliance rules now in place. Freek van Rooyen, a partner at Shepstone & Wylie Attorneys, and Mona Appalsamy, a senior associate at the firm, explain what claimants need to prepare for under the new system.

Baling twine and other foreign materials such as synthetic fibres and feedbag remnants significantly reduce the value of mohair clips for farmers, as buyers factor in contamination when valuing mohair before auction.

While arts and crafts markets in big centres and along major roads can be successful, empty promises about the scope for the curios and tourism trade in more remote, less travelled areas can cause heartache, even resentment. Often, the crafters cannot even earn the extra few hundred rands that would make life more bearable for them.

Grazing systems that mimic game behaviour are appealing in theory, but natural processes are complex. Before switching strategies, farmers should consider local conditions, costs, and evidence, since rainfall ultimately drives veld condition more than any management system.

Poor planting decisions can significantly reduce winter crop yields. Farmer’s Weekly spoke to agronomists about the common mistakes South African farmers make, including incorrect cultivar choice and fertiliser mismanagement.

Zimbabwe aims to develop 496 000ha of land under irrigation by 2030 to reduce reliance on rain-fed [rainfed] farming, a key pillar of its National Development Strategy.

The 2025/26 fruit and wine harvests are drawing to a close after a hot, dry start, heavy rain at peak harvest, and a March heatwave, creating uncertainty across the Western Cape. Karen van der Westhuizen, a soil scientist and irrigation consultant, spoke to Farmer’s Weekly about the benefits of digging profile holes.

Hot, dry conditions test even the best irrigation strategies. Christo van der Westhuizen, agronomist at Netafim Southern and East Africa, explained to Glenneis Kriel how farmers can manage water efficiently to protect crops during hot days.

Soil coverage and living root maintenance are vital for successful conservation agriculture. However, a study has revealed that farmers find these aspects the most challenging when converting to no-tillage practices. Agronomist Dr Hendrik Smith discusses best practices.

The agriculture sector is notoriously volatile, but producers can find stability using financial derivative tools. This article clearly defines and differentiates between two key instruments: forward contracts and futures contracts.

Budgeting isn’t reserved for accountants. In South African agriculture, where margins are under pressure from volatile input costs, unpredictable weather, and fluctuating commodity prices, it is an important management tool that helps farmers plan for profitability, resilience, and long-term sustainability.

As foot-and-mouth disease continues to wreak havoc in South Africa, with misinformation circulating and anxiety growing among farmers, Farmer’s Weekly approached Dr Dave Midgley, CEO of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa, to answer the questions farmers on the ground are asking.